Rejected by One, Wanted by Another

How do you hold on when the person you love is already letting go?

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It was the first day of school and the final year in college. Lucy Quinn woke up feeling hopeful while most students were feeling sad the summer break had ended. Today things were supposed to go back to normal, today she would finally see Adrian.

Adrian Matthews was her childhood sweetheart, they grew up together. Though their families were business partners, they had bonded over the years. when Lucy turned sixteen, they were betrothed, and since then, Lucy had always dreamed of building her perfect family with Adrian. Adrian was the perfect guy, way taller than her with broad shoulders, blue eyes, dark hair and that perfect smile.

As Lucy walked through the college gates, she started feeling nervous. She remembered how Adrian had changed the past few months. He hadn’t picked or returned any of her calls the entire summer break, he hadn’t even replied to the last texts she had sent.

“Lucy, Lucy”. A tiny voice screamed. Lucy turned to see a girl running towards her in designer dress and blonde hair.

It was Zoe. Zoe was the first… and well, the only friend she had since the first year in school.

Zoe gave Lucy a very big and tight hug. So tight, she almost ran out of breath. “I missed you Lucy.” Zoe said, finally letting go of Lucy.

Zoe was the complete opposite of Lucy. Lucy was well, a very quiet girl who loved romantic books and poetry. Zoe on the other hand was the social type, always present in every party, and always knew about all the campus gist.

She reached to her bag and brought out a small present box. “Look what I got you, it’s a welcome back gift”

“Awww Zoe, how thoughtful of you” Lucy said as she opened the box to find her favorite chocolates and a pretty gold necklace with a moon-shaped pendant.

“Ouuu….my favorite chocolates, you’re the best Zoe, and the necklace… it’s so pretty”. Lucy said as she leaned in for another hug.

“I don’t know what I’ll do without you”

“Good you’ll never find out, cos I’m never leaving you”. Zoe wrapped her hands around Lucy’s as they walked through the hallway.

“Have you seen Adrian, has he given you a welcome-back kiss?” Zoe asked

Lucy immediately felt her heart sink. “Not yet, but I think we have the same morning class” Lucy said, trying to hide how anxious she felt.

“Okay Lucy, I have to get going, I have a marketing class in five minutes. Go and find your man but when I come back, I want details. Don’t forget we are meeting up for lunch.” Zoe waved her goodbye and disappeared into the crowd of students.

Lucy took a deep breath and adjusted her bag, she walked into the opposite hallway and then she saw him, she saw Adrian.

Adrian was standing by a row of lockers with his usual group of friends. He was laughing at a joke one of them made. Lucy felt her heart flutter, she immediately forgot how coldly Adrian had been treating her the past weeks.

Adrian looked even more handsome than she remembered, his jawline looked sharper, his hair that messy style that made girls sneak second glances at him.

Lucy quickened her footsteps, “Adrian !” she called out in excitement and relief.

She walked toward him, a bright smile lighting up her face. She expected him to turn around, his eyes softening the way they used to. She expected him to excuse himself from his friends and pull her into a hug, or at least offer her a polite smile.

As Adrian saw her, his look immediately changed. He didn’t smile or wave at her. He looked at her with disgust and turned back to his friends laughing and they walked the opposite direction.

Lucy froze, her hands were still in the air. She was in complete disbelief. She couldn’t believe that the man she was supposed to get married to, just looked at her like that, like she was trash. A group of students ran past her, almost knocking her to the ground.

“Adrian” She whispered, but the hallway was too loud.

Lucy felt rejected.

She suddenly had a strange feeling, like someone was watching her. She turned to find an unfamiliar face standing by the hallway. He was leaning against the wall with a worn out jacket on one of his shoulders.

Lucy immediately felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. He had seen everything, the way Adrian had mistreated her. She wanted the grounds to open up and swallow her. The day just started but it kept getting worse. She quickly looked down at her shoes, holding her bag to her chest and ran towards the opposite direction.

She entered the first empty classroom she saw and slumped to the grounds, leaning her back against the wall. Her eyes were filled with tears. She wiped her face and tried to steady herself. “ I’m just overthinking” Lucy said to herself. “Adrian is just busy, he has a lot to deal with in his father’s business. That’s all.” Lucy tried to console herself, though she knew it wasn’t true.

She reached to her bag and brought out one of the chocolates Zoe had given her earlier. But as she unwrapped it, she found it difficult to eat it. The sweetness felt like she was deceiving herself.